Recalling a youth group from Goregaon who, when he was Assistant Municipal Commissioner, had worked as a watchdog to check illegal constructions, Gokhale said, ``I admired their enthusiasm and perseverance. They saw to it that the ward office staff came along and demolished the structures.''

According to Gokhale, those whose structures were being demolished didn't approach the courts for a stay on their own volition unless the BMC staff advised them to. ``Unless we give a notice, how can anyone go tocourt? When I've asked judges at private gatherings why judgments in such cases go against the BMC, I've been told that the law depends on arguments, and that civic counsels do not forcefully argue even when leading questions are posed to them,'' he informed.

Speaking on the Mayor-in-Council, Gokhale said he'd opposed it as ``The mayor is elected by the people, and isn't a political appointee. In the old system we have restored, there are provisions for checks and balances. But I co-operated with the system once it was implemented. When I suggested means for a one-stroke increase in revenue, MiC members got worried about voter behaviour,'' stated Gokhale.

Gokhale also claimed that he had never faced severe pressure. ``Whenever that happened, I told the Chief Minister that the matter did not fit with the rules. There has been much talk of Matoshree calling for files. but not a single file has ever been summoned by Bal Thackeray, Uddhav or Raj,'' he claimed.

Gokhale will now be shifting to Nashik, and iskeen on pursuing hobbies like gliding, swimming, tennis and reading. ``The last thing one should do is write an autobiography. I have no anger or misgivings and am going to live a life I like,'' he stated.